The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Bronze next of kin plaque in cardboard box of issue. The plaque shows Britannia and a lion together with the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR'. The name of the dead soldier, 'WILLIAM JOHN WILSON', is inscribed in raised letters within a raised rectangle.The initials 'ECP', for the designer Edward Carter Preston, appear above the lion's right forepaw. An checker's number '9' is impressed behind lion's left rear paw.
Born at Brighton, Victoria, William John Wilson was a 29 year old farmer at Warbrook, Western Australia when he enlisted in the AIF on 23 July 1915. After training he was assigned as a private, service number 2946, to 16th Battalion. Wilson briefly joined his battalion in Egypt before being transferred to 48th Battalion.
In June 1916 the battalion transferred to France for service on the Western Front. Wilson was detached to serve in the kit store until 17 July, when he returned to the battalion. He was severely wounded at Sausage Valley near Pozieres, on 6 August, and died of his wounds two days later at 3rd (British) Casualty Clearing Station at Puchevillers. He is buried at the British Cemetery there. This commemorative plaque was sent to his father, William Richardson Wilson, in 1922.
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge.
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge.
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge.
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge.
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge.
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge.